Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-22

Miss Smith started back involuntari-
ly.
"Mercy on usr' she exclaimed.
"Why don't You speak little loudcr!"
she added, in a sarcastic sort of roar.
IL said fourteen, marm-in my fif-
tecnth ycarI' Tad yelled. with the full
power Of his lungs; for, unfortunately,
he took her ironicl suggestion in per-
feet good-faith.
Miss Smith dropped the rake-handle,
and sat down on the piazza steps.
Joe, whocs face was Of lively purple
which extended to his ear-tips, began
to edge toward the gate.
"Iou won't do, boy" screamed Miss
Smith, so shrilly that John Doty, who
was plowing in an adjoining field,
stopped his oxen and looked wonder
ingly across at the "old Smith place"
as It was locally called, while Sa-
mantha Mason, Miss Smiths "hired
help rushed bare-armed from the
kitchen, with vague impression that
Miss Smith was in Mysteries.
II can't hire any one rs deaf rs you
are, and run the risk of breaking a
blood-vessel hollering to you," con-
tinued Miss Smith in the same high
key, as Tad stood confoundcd and de-
spondent at her abrupt refusal; ''be-
sides. I'm not so hard of hearing as
all that comes 10. and your voice goes
through my head like knife-yah-h-hH'
with which concluding ejaculation
Miss Smith put her hands to the
sides of her pasteboard sun-bonnet and
shuddered. "Why. amt deaf, marmw
wonderingly exclaimed Tad. dropping
his voice several octaves, "and j
wouldn't have spoke so loud only Joe
said ygH was hard Of hearing, an if he
was me he'd speak up good and loud"
Joe could stand it no longer. With
an explosive yell Of laughter he lodged
through the gate, and, dropping in the
green sward. at a safe distance,
doubled himself up in an ecstasy of un-
seemly mirth.
"Joe Whitney, gasped Miss Smith,
starting TO her feet and shaking her
finger threatening in the direction Of
the PROSTATE practical joker, as the
truth Of the matter flashed across her
mind, ''you see !. your father don't
hear Of this, sir!''
But her Indignation was always
short liysd, and gradually grim smile
softcncd the hard lines Of her face,
though the ovorshadowing hcad-gear
hid it from Tad's anxious gaze.
"And so you want place, eh?" she
said, abruptly, but not unkindly, as
she turned her sharp gray eyes full
upon Tad, who was looking reproach-
fully at Joe as, having risen, he
cautiously advanced within carshot.
"lf you please. marm," was the re.
spectful answer, and Tad looked plead
ingly up at the maiden lady rs be
spoke. Something in his thin, pale
face moved Miss Smiths heart curl.
ously.
The boys who had 6orled for her
from time TO time had generally been
unintelligcnt, brown-faccd boys, with
large appetites and tenency ~ idls
away as much time as they possibly
could.
Hes got look kind Of like.
though he Is a pindling sort Of a boy
thought Miss Smith, rubbing her nose
renectiyely.
Don't you dare enter that gate.
Joseph Whitney, she exclaimed. with
sudden energy, AS Joe, with traces OF
his recent mirth on his features, edged
himself along the front fence.
"No, marm," responded Joe, in
voice suggestive Of the deepest contlf-
ton. Affecting TO be overcome with
remorseful sorrow, he applied a small
red-bOardercd cotton handkerchief 10
his eyes, and sobbed hysterically, after
which, twisting II between his fingers,
he feigned TO wiring tears Of litter
grief from It's folds.
Turning her back upon the arch dis
sembler. Miss Smith proceeded TO put
Tad through a rapid course Of question:
ing. Did he smoke or swear? Had hf
been vaccinated? Were his father and
mother living? Had he been 10 SCHOOL,
What church did he attcndP--and .
few other queries, Of similar import.
On all points except that oi church
going Tnl's answers were very salts
factory; and Miss Smith graciously ad,
miited that his lack Of clothes was
tolcrably reasonable excuse Tor lis q
Gf.iontN IA that one rfxt,erl